Folding partition



FOLDING PARTITION Filed Aug. 3, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EY NOV. 7,1933.- 1 T, FAlRHURS-r 1,934,299

FOLDING PARTITION Filed Aug. 5, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I *Y l z3 HINVENTOR WITNESSES JhnTFaLrhurs ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1933.

J. T. FAIRHURST FOLDING PARTITION Filed Aug. 3, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheetv 3 I32 A INVENTOR JhnZFaLrhur'" ATTORNEY APatented Nov. 7, 1933 UNTED STATESrrENr ori-lcs 19 Claims.

This invention relates generally to partitions, and refers moreparticularly to folding partitions which are employed for the temporarysubdivision of a large room and which are capable of folding to anout-of-the-way position when not in use.

Folding partitions of this nature which have been previously devisedhave been open to certain objections which the present invention aims to0 overcome and have lacked the many advantages i or which it is thepurpose of the present invention to supply. Heretofore partitions ofthis nature have included a plurality of hingedly connected sectionsadapted to be swung alternately in opposite directions to a foldedparallel relations, the present invention primarily comprehends animproved folding partition in which the sections are mounted forindependent movement whereby the same may be individually moved to andfrom their active and inactive positions.`

As a further object, the invention contemplates an improved foldingpartition which is constructed in such a manner and providedfwith meansfor compensating for unevenness, of the floor due to settlement of thebuilding or sagging of the beams.

More specifically, the invention embodies a folding partition includinga non-slidable swinging end section and a plurality of slidable andswingable sections, together with means for limiting the swingingmovement of the slidable sections to a point where the said slidablesections are to be nested alongside of able section.

The invention further resides in the provision of an improved foldingpartition by virtue of which the several sections thereof may besecurely locked in their active position by a single locking means.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a ushtrack, together with means on the partition cooperating therewith, formaintaining the sections in aligned active position without thenecessity of individually bolting the sections in place.

the non-slid- Gther objects reside in the comparative simplicity ofconstruction and mode of installation of the partition,` the economyWith which the same may be produced and installed and the vgeneralefficiency derived therefrom.

With the above recited andotherobjects in view, reference is had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, in which there isexhibited one example or embodiment ofthe invention, while the claimsdene the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings: V

Figure 1 is a side view of the partition in closed active position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the track over whichthe partitionsections are moved.

Figure 3 is a sectional plan View taken approximately on the line 3-3 ofFigure 1, and illus- Y trating in full lines the partition in closedactive position, with the sections shown in broken lines in their foldedposition.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side View of the upper portion of several ofthe slidable partition `sections, illustrating the means for limitingthe swinging movement of the sections.

Figure 5 is a detail fragmentary sectional View illustrating theself-cleaning means for the track groove.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional View takenapproximately on the line indicated at 6--6 in Figure 1. Y

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional plan `View taken approximately on theline indicated at 7--7 Y in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a detail fragmentary side view with 90 'Figure 9 is anenlarged fragmentary sectional 95 plan View taken approximately on theline 9 9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse sectional viewillustrating one of the'sliding doors in its folded position.

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view therethrough takenapproximately on the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an enlarged side View of the freeV lower corner of one ofthe slidable sections.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, A designates thefloor, B the ceiling, and C and D the opposite sides which frame theopening to be partitioned by the folding partition which constitutes'thesubject matter of the'pres- 110 ent invention. The side C of the openingis formed with a stationary outwardly projecting vertically extendingjamb strip l0 which is formed with a beveled free edge 1l. A vertical,preferably tubular, shaft 12 extends through the jamb strip and isjournaled at its lower end in a step bearing 13 countersunk in the :doorA, its upper end being suitably journaled in a bearing carried by theceiling B. Adjacent its upper and lower ends the shaft has keyed theretoa pair of radially projecting arms 14, said upper and lower armsbeingrespectively provided with downwardly and upwardly projecting trunnions15. The partition includes a non-slidable swingable end or mastersection 16 which is provided at its upper and lower ends with trunnionbearings 17 for receiving the trunnions 15,- whereby the end or mastersection 16 is mounted for swinging movement on the trunnion arms and forswinging movement with the trunnion arms. rIhe said end or mastersection has one side edge formed with a bevel 18 corresponding to andadapted to mate with the bevel edge 11 of the jamb strip l0. Theopposite side edge of the master section 16 is formed with a groove 19.Mounted in a recess in the lower edge of the master section adjacent itsfulcrumed side edge is a transversely disposed supporting roller 2Owhich is adapted to bear on the floor A to assist in relieving thesupporting arms 14 of some of Y the strain when the master section isswung with kor relative to the arms 14.

Recessed in the lower edge of the master section i6, adjacent its freeside edge, is a caster roller 21 which is also designed to support saidsection. The partition further includes a plurality of slidable andswingable sections 25 which of substantially identical construction andwhich are providedv respectively at their opposite side edges withtongues 26 and grooves 27, the tongue 26 of the section 25 adjacent themaster section being adapted to enter the groove 19 thereof and thetongues 26 of the remaining sections being adapted to interengage withthe grooves 27 of the preceding sections. Each section 25 has recessedin its lower edge adjacent its grooved side edge, a supporting castorroller 23 which is designed during the sliding of the section to roll ona countersunk track 29, and during the swinging of the section to engagewith the floor A. The track is arranged in a recess in the iloor and isdisposed flush therewith, and said track is formed with a longitudinalslot 30 having laterally oirset portions 3l at its opposite ends for apurpose to be hereafter set forth. The floor A is formed with a grooveor channel 32 which is of greater width than the narrow portion of theslot and whichv approximates the wider or offset end portions 31 toprovide an edge 33 of the track which denes the groove 30, which edgeoverhangs or protrudes beyond one side of the groove or channel 32 inthe floor while the opposite edge of the groove or channel is flush withthe opposite edge of the slot 30. The sections 25 have recessed in thelower corner thereof adjacent the side edge provided with the tongue, ametal bearing plate 34 which is cut out or fashioned in such a mankneras to provide an upper horizontal web 35 and bushing 37 and throughabearing aperture 40 in downwardly projecting hooked or angled terminal47 which extends into the groove and engages under the protruding edge33, said terminal being accommodated by the groove or channel 32 in thefloor. Obviously, this arrangement permits of the sliding of the supportfor the roller 46 while allowing for relative swinging movement of thesections 25.

The upper corner of each section 25 adjacent the tongue edge hasrecessed thereinto a bearing plate 50 disposed flush with the upper edgefor its major portion and provided with a slightly downwardly oifsetremaining portion 51 from which an integral sleeve depends. The sleeveis provided with a bore 53 disposed in axial alignment or concentricwith the axis of the stem 39, vand said bore freely receives a verticalstub shaft 54 which protrudes upwardly therefrom and is swiveled as at55 in a non-rotary carrier a6 which travels on ball bearings 57 in achannel shaped track 58 supported by the ceiling B. This arrangement,together with the lower support, allows for sliding and swinging of thesections 25. The mounting of the partition sections 25 thus described issuch as to compensate for irregularities in the level of the iioor andceiling tracks resulting from settling of the building, it being obviousthat if the lower or oor track 29 is uneven, the partition sectionmoving* thereover and supported by the lower support will follow theirregularities of the lower track but will be 'vertically guided andpermitted to move with reference to the upper fulcrum means or stubshaft. If the upper or ceiling track 58 is Luieven, the carrier 56 anddepending stub shaft 54 following the unevennessof said overhead track53 will be permitted to be moved vertically with reference to thepartition section 25 and will be guided in said movement by the bore 53in the sleeve 52.

In order to guide the sections 25 during their sliding movement Vfromtheir active to their inactive positions and vice versa and to preventswinging of the same during such movement except at their extreme openposition for the folding nesting arrangement thereof, a channel 6() isdefined at the ceiling within which the upper edges of the sections 25engage. The channel 60 is defined by means of depending strips ormoldings 61 and 62, the former also serving as an abutment for themaster section 16. The latter strip or molding 62 is cut away as at 63to allow for the swinging of the master section 15 and the remainingsections 25 to the open nested position. It will also be observed thatthe remaining sections 25 have the upper corners adjacent the groovedside edges formed with rabbeted or cutaway portions 64, which cut-awayportions 64 vary in length to compensate for the variation in the pointat which the slidable sections swing to the open nested position. Inorder to compensate for sagging due to settlement, each of the slidable`sections is provided with an adjustable plate 65 adjacent the cut-awayor rabbeted portion 64 to insure the proper registry thereof with thecutaway portion 63 of the molding 62.

In order to provide means for preventing the sliding of the sectionsafter they have been opened to the point where they swing free of theguide channel 60, detent means is provided, both at the iloor andceiling, and'said floor detent means consists of toe plates havingarcuate edges 71 intersected by a stop lug 72. AEach of the sections 25is provided with a depending nger 73 which is vertically adjustable andwhich is designed when the section is disposed in the proper positionrelative to the cut-away portion 63 or" the molding 62 for swingingmovement to the open nested position, to move along the arcuate edge 71until it abuts with the stop lug 72. Obviously, this will preventsliding of the section after it has been turned to its open nestedposition parallel with the master section or the preceding slidablesection. The upper detent means consists of an arm secured to the stubshaft 54 and projecting radially therefrom, which arm is caused to turnwith the section, 25. and stub shaft 54 by its keyed connection 81 withthe stub shaft and the engagement of the eccentric depending pin 82 inthe bore 83 of the collar 52. The free end of the arm is provided withan upturned finger 84 which corresponds to the nger 73 at the lower endof the section and which is designed to engage behind the arcuateredge85 of the toe plate 36 which is carried by the ceiling within the guidechannel 60. The toe plate 86 is similarly provided with a stop lug 87against which the nger 84 engages.

Due to the fact that dust, dirt and other foreign matter enter thegroove or channel 32 in the iioor and would tend to impair the propermovement of the terminal 47 in the channel, the opposite ends of theterminal 47 are sharpened or pointed as at 90 to act as a scraper forpreventing any appreciable collection of dust or dirt in the groove, itbeing apparent that the terminals sliding back and forth will eject theforeign matter from the offset or enlargedrends 3l of the slot 30.

In practice, the master section will preferably be provided with a lock91, the bolt of which may be engaged in a keeper formed in the jambstrip 10, whereby all of the sections may be effectually locked by asingle key. The side D of the opening is preferably framed by a jamb 93which is grooved as at 94 to receive the free end of the endmost section25, and said groove is sealed or lled by a ller element 95 which isforced into place by a spring 96 when the section 25 is moved to itsopened position. The viiller element is formed with oppositely disposed'flanges 97 which prevent its displacement from the groove and disposethe same flush with the jamb element.

Due to the downwardly offset portion 51 of the bearing plate 50,it isobvious that sagging of the ceiling will be compensated for due to thefact that the arm 8O is free to move downwardly a limited distance.

I claim:

1. A mounting for independently swingable .and ioldable sections of afolding partition including overhead and underlying guided fulcrum meansfor each section, with reference to both of which means each section isvertically movable and downwardly yieldable means for supporting thesections from the underlying fulcrum means.

2. A mounting for independently swingable and foldable sections of a'folding partition including overhead and underlying guided fulcrummeans for each section, with reference to both of which means eachsection is vertically movable, downwardly yieldable means for supportingthe sections from the underlying iulcrum means and means for limitingthe downward yielding of said yieldable means. Y

3. A mounting for independently swingable and foldable sections of afolding partition including overhead and underlying guided ulcrum meansfor each section, with reference to both or" which means each section isvertically movable, downwardly yieldable means for supporting thesections from the underlying fulcrum means and adjustable means forlimiting the downward yielding of said yieldable means.

4. A mounting for a sliding and swingable partition section includingoverlying and underlying non-rotary members mounted for guided movementin a vertically parallel plane, connections between said members and thesection to permit of relative swinging movement of the section and toallow for relative vertical movement of the section with respect to saidmembers in order to compensate for irregularities in the horizontal pathof movement of the members.

5. A mounting for individually slidable and swingable folding partitionsections including parallel overlyingand underlying guide tracks, anon-rotary member for each section mounted to slide in the overheadguide track, .a fulcrum element swiveled on a vertical axis to anddepending from said member, upon which fulcrum element the partitionsection is vertically slidable and with which said sections isturnable'and a roller assemblage upon which the partition section bearsand is fulcrumed at its lower end and by which said section is supportedto move vertically therewith while sliding so as to compensate forirregularities in thek guide tracks.

6. A .mountingv for individually slidable and swingable foldingpartition sections including parallel overlying and underlying guidetracks, a non-rotary member forV each section mounted to slide lin theoverhead guide track, a fulcrum element swiveled on a vertical axis toanddepending from said member, upon which fulcrum element the partitionsection Vis vertically slidable and with which said section is turnable,a roller assemblage upon `which the partition section bears and isfulcrumed at its lower end and by which said section is supported tomove vertically therewith while sliding so as to compensate forirregularities in the guide tracks and coacting means on each sectionand on a xed support for holding the sections against sliding movementwhen moved and swung to an open position.

7. A mounting for individually slidable and swingable folding partitionsections including parallel overlying and underlying guide tracks, anon-rotary member for each section mounted to slide in the overheadguide track, a fulcrum element swiveled on a vertical axis to anddepending rom said member, upon which fulcrum element the partitionsection is vertically slidable and with which said section is turnable,a roller assemblage upon which the partition section bears and isfulcrumed at its lower end and by which said section is supported toyield vertically while sliding so as to compensate for irregularitieslin the guide tracks and coacting means on each element and on a xedsupport for holding the sections against slidingmovement when moved andswung to ari-open position, said latter means comprising a verticallyprojecting finger on each fulcrum element and a stationary plate formedwith an arcuate surface and a'pro- 5 jecting stop lug, by which arcuatesurface the nger is guided and with which stop lug the iinger engages. Y

8. A mounting for a slidable and swingable folding partition sectionincluding an overlying guide and an underlying parallel support andguide, a non-rotary member slidable in the overlying guide, a dependingelement swiveled in said member on a vertical axis engagingthe partitionsection to turn therewith and with respect to which said section iscapable of vertical movement, a roller rollable over the underlyingsupport and guide and a non-rotary roller carrier engaging the supportand guide having an upstanding trunnion disposed in vertical alignmentwith the axis of the swivel of the depending element and about which thepartition section may turn.

9. A mounting for a slidable and swingable folding partition sectionvincluding an overlying guide and an underlying parallel support andguide, a non-rotary member slidable in the overlying guide, a dependingelement swiveled in said vmember on a vertical axis engaging thepartition section to turn therewith and with respect vto which saidsection is capable of vertical movement, a roller rollable over theunderlying support and guide, a non-rotary roller carrier engaging thesupport and guide having an upstanding trunnion disposed in verticalalignment with the axis of the swivel of the depending `element andabout which the partition section may turn and yieldable means supportedby said roller carrier upon which the section rests and is yieldablysupported.

10. A mounting for individually slidable and swingable sections of afolding partition including an overhead slidably guided non-rotarymember for each section, an element swiveled therein on a vertical axisand depending therefrom and having a vertically slidable non-rotarybearing in the upper end oi the section adjacent one edge thereof, acorresponding underlying nonrotary slidably guided member for eachsection having a supporting rollenan upwardly extending verticaltrunnicndisposed in axial alignment with the swivel of the depending element andupon which the section has rotary and axially slidable bearing and meansfor yieldably supporting and tensioning the section against downt' wardmovement. f

11. A mounting for individually slidable and swingaole sections offolding partitions including an overhead slidably guided non-rotarymember for each section, to which the section is fulcrumed for swingingmovement on a vertical axis and with reference to which the section isvertically slidable, a corresponding underlying nonrctary slidablyguided member for each section having a supporting roller, means forpreventing C upward movement of said underlying member, l an upwardlyextending vertical trunnion on said underlying member disposed in axialalignment with the upper iulorum point of the section and upon which thesection has rotary and axially slidable bearing and means for yieldablysupporting and tensioning the section against downward movement uponsaid trunnion.

12. In a icldable partition which includes a plurality oi individuallyswingable and slidable sections, means for mounting said sectionsinmessage tracksa pair of non-rotary members for each sectionrespectively supported by and mounted Ato slide in said tracks, aconnection between each pair of members and each section to permit of 80relative swinging movement of said section and to allow for the relativevertical movements between the section and said members.

13. In a lfoldable partition which includes a plurality of individuallyswingable and slidable sections, means for mounting said sectionsincluding yparallel overlying and underlying guide tracks, -a pair ofnon-rotary members for each section respectively supported by andmounted to slide in said tracks, a connection between each pair of4members and each section to permit of relative swinging movement ofsaid section, guides-engaging the upper sides of the sections andterminating at a point adjacent one end of therpartition, said sectionshaving progressively klonger cut-away portions at the upper free cornersthereof to permit each section to-be released at arelatively differentpoint adjacent one end of the partition to swing out of their normalsliding plane.

l In a folding partition including guided slid- ATI.

able and swingable sections and a non-slidable swingable master section;a mounting for said master section comprising a link fulcrumed at oneendto the master section adjacent one end thereof and fulcrumed at theother end to a xed support to permit the free end of the master sectionto initially engage with the adjacent slidable section before thelinkedend of said master section is swung into the plane of slidingmovement of the slidable sections.

15. A mounting for individually slidable and swingable foldingpartitionfsections including in combination with the overhead rail ofthe partition frame, an overhead guide carried thereby, a non-rotarymember for each section mounted vto slide in said overhead guide and atrunnion swiveled on a vertical axis in said member, depending therefromand having keyed vertically slidable engagement with the partitionsection to turn with said section.

16. A mounting for individually slidable and Vswingable foldingpartition sections including in combination with the overhead rail ofthe partition frame, an overhead guide carried thereby, a non-rotarymember for each section mounted to slide in said overhead guide and atrunnion swiveled on a vertical axisv in said member, depending'therefrom and having keyedV vertically slidable engagement with thepartition section to turn with said section and coacting means carriedrespectively to `each trunnion and said overhead frame rail 'for lockingthe sections against sliding movement when shifted and swung to an openposition.

1'7.. A mounting for individually slidable and swingable foldingpartition sections including in combination with the overhead rail ofthe partition frame, an overhead guide carried thereby, a non-rotarymember for each section mounted 14@ to slide in said overhead guide anda trunnion swiveled on a vertical axis in said member, dependingtherefrom and having keyed Vvertically lslidable engagement with thepartition section to turn with said Vsection and coacting means carriedrespectively .by each trunnion and vsaid overhead frame rail for lockingthe sections against sliding movement when shifted and swungto an openposition, said-means comprising a .vertically projecting finger disposedeccentric to the aXis of the trunnion and a stationary plate on theoverhead frame rail, said plate having an arcuate finger guiding edgeand a stop lug intersecting said arcuate surface.

18. A mounting for independently swingable and foldable sections of afolding partition including overhead and underlying guided fulcrum meansfor each section, means for supporting each section from the underlyingfulcrum means and said upper fulcrurn means being so constructed andarranged that each section is vertically movable with reference to saidupper fulcrum means and each upper ulcrum means is vertically movablewith reference to its partition section.

19. A mounting for a sliding and swngable partition section includingoverlying and underlying non-rotary members mounted for guided movementin vertically spaced substantially parallel planes, means for supportingthe partition section from the underlying member to permit of relativelyswinging movement of the section with reference thereto and a connectionbetween said partition section and the overlying member to permit ofrelative swinging movement of the section and to allow for relativevertical movements between the partition section and said upper memberin order to compensate for irregularities in the horizontal path ofmovement of the member.

JOHN T. FAIRHURST.

